Ancelotti talks Vinicius, Mbappe, Valverde, Real Madrid – ‘It didn’t surprise me’

Carlo Ancelotti has broken his silence on the chain of events that ended his second spell at Real Madrid, pinpointing the departure of long-serving dressing-room leaders and a shift in squad chemistry as the key factors behind a trophyless 2024-25 campaign. Speaking to Radio MARCA and cited by Mundo Deportivo, the Italian—now in charge of Brazil—said the environment that had underpinned years of success dissolved faster than anticipated.

“Football changes with very little, and with that, the chemistry changes,” Ancelotti explained. “It’s not just about the atmosphere, it’s not just about swapping Kroos for Mbappe. That same year, Nacho left, Carvajal got injured, and Modric played less. The old generation that had created a fantastic atmosphere in the dressing room was gone, and a new generation of players had to come in, bringing character, personality, and setting an example. That doesn’t happen overnight; it takes time.”

Kylian Mbappe’s headline arrival on a free transfer coincided with the retirement of Toni Kroos and the exit of club captain Nacho Fernández. While the French forward plundered close to 50 goals, the collective balance that had delivered Liga and European glory proved elusive. “Mbappe did fantastically, scoring around 50 goals, but the team struggled to win titles because football is about small details, and when you change something, it doesn’t always work out,” Ancelotti noted.

The 65-year-old coach revealed that a move to international football had been on his radar well before his Madrid departure. “I had no intention of going to another club after Madrid. The opportunity with the Brazilian national team came up two years ago and then I renewed with Madrid, but last year we thought it was the right time to leave and now I’m happy.”

Despite stepping away from the Bernabéu, Ancelotti remains wired into the club’s day-to-day drama. “After the match against Manchester City, I congratulated the club and the president. I also speak with the players. The other day I spoke with Rodrygo to see how he was doing. I’m in contact with them, yes.”

Vinicius Jr. featured prominently in the conversation. Ancelotti backed the winger to deliver on the biggest stage for both Madrid and Brazil, highlighting his impeccable big-match record. “Vinicius has never let us down in important matches. I can’t recall a semi-final or quarter-final where Vini has made a mistake. Maybe Vinicius got frustrated in Valencia and lost his focus, but he’s never done that in important matches. I’m convinced he’ll have a great World Cup if he’s in the squad.”

Turning to the Champions League, Ancelotti is adamant his former employers will see off Manchester City after a stunning 3-0 first-leg win. “Yes, it’s going to happen. They have to defend well and maintain their balance.”

Federico Valverde’s match-winning hat-trick against the English champions drew special praise. Asked whether the Uruguayan’s exploits had caught him off guard, Ancelotti replied with a grin: “It didn’t surprise me, I kept my coaching license for a reason… but the three goals were incredible. I sent him a message.” The contents of that text? “I told him, ‘It’s a shame you don’t have a Brazilian passport.’”